2002 ML320 Premium radio wiring
 

Hi,
Anybody have 2002 ML320 radio stereo wiring diagram?
I am trying to put a Pioneer head-unit in my car, but this ML320 has the radio with optical fiber for audio-out, it's not connecting simple line-out. Trying to find a simple way out to hook the line-outs to the amplifier. I researched the forum, some people suggesting replacing the head-unit and amplifier, but I like the Bose amp, sounds darn good. I am not sure new amp will as good as Bose. Any help will be appreciated.

Note: the amp part#: A1638200189
Thanks
Pals

I also tried to hack the amp to connect line-out directly, but running into problem. Here are the details. The amp has two sturdy ribbon cables (J3 & J2) connecting to the optical-fiber module. I figured out the pins to line feed FL/FR/RL/RR/Sub speakers, but this still need the optical module & factory head-unit connected. If I disconnect optical cable, the Amp turns off. Any ideas friend how to bypass optical module in the amp. Here is the pin out:

J2 ribbon cable if for line-out feed:
1(+) & 4 - Front Left (door spkr & tweeter)
3(+) & 4 - Front Left (door spkr & tweeter)
6(+) & 9 - Middle left
8(+) & 7 - Middle right
16(+) & 19 - Rear tweeter both spkrs
18(+) & 17 - Sub
All spkr/sub line-outs are 5+ volts
21 - 2.2v

J3 ribbon cable - control signals
HU on
1 - 2.2v
2 - 2.2v
8 - 5v
10 - +12v
12 - +12v
13 - 5v
14 - 5v
17 - +12v

Hope to get some info to complete my stereo replacement. Any help.
Thanks
Pals
Thanks

From my research, your SOL on that! The best you can do is keep the speakers. Remember though, the Bose speakers are 2 ohm not the normal 4, 6 or 8 ohm like you normaly find! The best you might be able to do if you want to keep the amp is replace the CD changer with an ipod/iphone/ipad/USB input device that replaces the CD changer in the fiber loop, but you still have to have the OEM head unit. This unit fools the systme to think that the changer is still in the system. No fancy screens, no back-up cameras, no GPS Nav added if you don't already have it.

Can I run a MOST fiber optic decoder in a 2002 Mercedes ml 320 w163
 

Maybe
 

From what I understand you can use a fiber optic to analog interface decoder from eBay and amazon that converts the factory Bose fiber optic into analog from your aftermarket head unit. It says for 03 ml320 and up but I'm going to gamble and assume that it will work on my 02 ml320. I sure hope I'm right. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong because the is a no return policy except for quality gurentee from eBay. It's a $100 gamble. If this does work then my only concern is the double amplification from my aftermarket built in mosfet 45x4chan and the factory Bose amp. This can be easily corrected with a module that turns down the power coming from the aftermarket hu and allows the Bose amp to do its job without any interference. Wish me luck. And if someone can spare me from this blowing up in my face. Please don't hesitate to call me out on this

Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope.

Everything you are attempting to do is wrong. Spend 5 minutes using the search function on this site and Benzworld. If you haven't figured it out, then come back.

Dammit.
 

So I have to replace the factory Bose amplifter or cut it out and run all wires directly to the aftermarket radio harness. I guess that sux. They were adviseing decoder units for 2003 that ran the analog out of the aftermarket unit and converted it to fiberoptic signal that the amp could read. Guess that won't work on a 02 ml 320 w163 that has Bose fiber optic amp. Correct????

1 week research. And counting
 

I took everything apart. Just amp cdchanger telli aid extra. I know for sure the Bose amp runs fiber optic in from factory oem and spaker wire out to the door speakers. The amp is fiber optic. If a adapter does not exist then can anyone give a good suggestion for a replacement 2 ohm 4 chanle amp preferably an affordable one. Plz and ty

I don't know for sure, but I would gamble on the Analog/Fiber converter. Reason, I doubt that there would be any major differences between 02 and 03 fiber protocols for example te fiber converter that I used in my 03 W163 also worked in my 06 W164.. If it doesn't work you should be able to resell it on e-bay, so not a total loss. But I don't know that it will work, I would chance it personally.

If it does work, you are not going to blow anything up by having a 45w/per channel amp! You connect the line level out of your new head unit to the converter (RCA connectors not speakers out)

Remember, anything that you remove from the fiber network needs to have a jumper installed after the unit is removed, i.e. CD changer. The reason is that the Fiber system is a loop network. Meaning that the signal goes in and then back out even if the unit doesn't need the information. If you just remove something and don't jumper it, you have broken the loop and it will no longer work. So in the case of the CD changer, it isn't going to work with anything but the factory head unit. You can leave it in place, that won't hurt anything, but if you pull it you'll have to insert a jumper in the fiber connector to close the loop again.

Even though the Bose speakers are 2 ohms, they sound good with new amps, if that is the way you end up going. The only concern with the 2 ohm speakers is that your new amp needs to be able to handle the 2 ohm load. If not you may end up blowing the amp down the road. The amp will think that the 2 ohms is close to a short if not designed for it. So if changing the amp is the way you end up going, don't be too worried about the speakers, they'll sound good. In my case, they sounded better than the factory set up sounded. Of course I added a real 12" sub woofer instead of the Bose plastic box under the seat, but even the doors sounded much better.

You clearly did not search and find the proper literature. Look at the attached pdf. You're welcome.

Funny, in my installation all works with an aftermarket head unit except of course the CD changer. If you use a SCOSCHE MZ02AR you can introduce whatever source through a stereo RCA connection into the Fiber System. The amp will work just fine with the exception of you are introducing only a stereo signal and you loose control of front and back and separate sub control. But the amp is pumping out to all speakers.

You have a W164. Different fiber system and COMAMD

The SCOSCHE MZ02AR is listed to work on W163's and not W164's, but it did. I transplanted my stereo from my W163 that the insurance totaled to the W164. I don't know what to say other than what I have physically installed and seen work.

Wow
 

Can you send me a direct link where you bought the scosche hook ups Id greatly appreciate it. Plz an try

I got it Amazon at the link above.